How often in a year should you play to your handicap?

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

How often in a year should you play to your handicap? I reckon that your handicap should reflect your best efforts and be a target that, if achieved, should be a cause for celebration. Too many people see the target of 36 points or scoring standard scratch as a measure below which they feel they have failed.

 

[Heidi]

i was told that 1 time you'll play to 36 points or better, 2 out of 4 you'll play in ur buffer, and one out of four rounds you will play like a big buffoon who has never handled a golf club

 

[Pull]

If i play a pretty average round i'll play to handicap.. For a good round i'd expect to be 5-6 shots under my handicap.

I'd say 1/5 complete blow out no score, 3/5 around handicap and 1/5 well under.

 

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

i was told that 1 time you'll play to 36 points or better, 2 out of 4 you'll play in ur buffer, and one out of four rounds you will play like a big buffoon who has never handled a golf club

Hi Heidi. I always play like a big buffoon for no other reason than that is what I am,

 

[Heidi]

Hi Heidi. I always play like a big buffoon for no other reason than that is what I am,

Hey there OBwan. I played like a big buffoon today...I'm blaming my cold :angry:

 

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

If i play a pretty average round i'll play to handicap.. For a good round i'd expect to be 5-6 shots under my handicap.

I'd say 1/5 complete blow out no score, 3/5 around handicap and 1/5 well under.

Pull. Do you consider yourself to be a bit of a bandit?

 

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

Nothing worse than sneezing on the backswing.

 

[Pull]

Well no, i'd say day to day ill shoot around handicap.

Everyone has the ability to shoot a round where they keep out of trouble and shoot 4-5 below handicap. If i did it 3/5 times then yes i'd say it was too high. If i could be that consistent it would be nice.

(** Just to note, i did get a 2 shot cut at the annual review last month )

 

[Heidi]

Nothing worse than sneezing on the backswing.

There is...dribbly nose while putting

 

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

Yea I agree with that. I just think the advent of stableford rules and Congo rules have made the handicapping , lets say more forgiving to those who don't play regularly in comps and medals

 

[Pro_V_wan_kenobi]

There is...dribbly nose while putting

Henry Longhurst suggested that the cold could be cured with a hat and a bottle of whisky. His theory, as well as I remember it, went something like this: Take a bottle of whisky to bed, put your hat at the foot of the bed. Get into bed and pile the blankets on top of yourself, you then start drinking the whisky and keep drinking until you see two hats.” It may not cure your cold, exactly, but you definitely won’t care.

 

[Imurg]

I've heard 3 or 4 times a year as the amount you should play to it.
If you've got a truly accurate handicap you shouldn't be scoring 36+ or SSS on a regular basis.
If you play 50 rounds, I would expect no more than about 6 or 7 at "handicap" or better.

 

[Crow]

If i play a pretty average round i'll play to handicap.. For a good round i'd expect to be 5-6 shots under my handicap.

I'd say 1/5 complete blow out no score, 3/5 around handicap and 1/5 well under.

I'd call that playing better than your hanicap:
3/5 around handicap so let's say in your buffer and no change.
1/5 blow up so 0.1 back
1/5 well under, say 5 shots under? for Cat 3 that's a 1.5 cut
So for every 5 rounds you're effectively seeing a 1.4 cut.

 

[pokerjoke]

All depends on how many times you play a year.
Play once the answer would probably be none.
Play 100 times probably 5 -10

 

[Lump]

I would think it depends on your handicap and wether its appropriate to your ability at the time. Its been a while since I've not shot my handicap or better, but not enough below it to get a cut in winter(we need to shoot 5 better to get cut in winter).

 

[rosecott]

we need to shoot 5 better to get cut in winter).

Is this a handicapping rule that applies only at Hatfield Hall?

 

[Lump]

Is this a handicapping rule that applies only at Hatfield Hall?

I think so. Unlike alot of clubs we dont have a season review of handicaps. We play full greens all year long and don't really loose that much length from forward tees in winter.
Only cuts are available too, you cant get shots back.

 

[rosecott]

I think so. Unlike alot of clubs we dont have a season review of handicaps. We play full greens all year long and don't really loose that much length from forward tees in winter.
Only cuts are available too, you cant get shots back.

Two points:

All clubs must conduct an Annual Review of handicaps.
Clubs cannot make qualifying competitions Reductions Only.

 

[garyinderry]

surely if your handicap is set right then 36 should always be achieveable and its always the player that mucks up and doesnt reach the magic number. if your shooting over 36 then you've played better than you would normally. if i dont come home with 36 im not a happy bunny. when i go to away days, 36 is always my target. being over 36 on these days means exceptional golf as you wont know the course as well as your own. i suppose if the course is shorter meaning drive and wedge/ short iron i would expect a 36+ !

 

[Lump]

Two points:

All clubs must conduct an Annual Review of handicaps.
Clubs cannot make qualifying competitions Reductions Only.

your point being? A club ignoring rules...doesn't bother me in the slightest.